Michael Reafsnyder

Michael Reafsnyder is an Adjunct Professor in the Art Department at Claremont Graduate University (CGU), where he teaches studio art and shares his expertise in painting with MFA students. He holds an MFA from Art Center College of Design and a BA from Chapman University, and maintains an active career as a contemporary painter based in Southern California.

Education:

• MFA, Art Center College of Design
• BA, Chapman University

Reafsnyder's research and artistic practice centers on abstract painting, particularly works that simulate spontaneous gestural energy while being meticulously composed. His focus lies in the interplay of vibrant color, thick acrylic application, and dynamic brushwork to evoke emotional intensity and manic exuberance. These principles form the core of his studio teaching at CGU.

While not traditional academic articles, Reafsnyder's recent exhibitions and artworks (2011–2018) reflect a sustained engagement with contemporary abstraction, materiality, and expressive color theory. His solo shows in New York, Los Angeles, and internationally demonstrate a consistent presence in the global art scene, particularly within the discourse of post-expressionist abstraction.

Selected Exhibitions & Artistic Output:

• Michael Reafsnyder (2015, Ameringer | McEnery | Yohe, NY)
• Sunday Best (2014, Susanne Vielmetter, LA)
• We Ate the House (2013, NY)
• Gleam (2012, La Jolla)
• Feast and Delight (2011, NY and Dallas)
• Cool Flow (2018, acrylic on linen)

Reafsnyder has exhibited widely in solo and group shows across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. His work is included in major public collections such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Museum of Contemporary Art-San Diego, Columbus Museum of Art, Laguna Art Museum, and Portland Art Museum. He is represented by Ameringer | McEnery | Yohe in New York. Though no formal advising list is provided, he works closely with current MFA students in the CGU Art Department. He continues to paint and teach actively in Southern California.